Thursday, January 29, 2009

My Crock Pot Saves the Day


I love my Crock Pot. I really do.

I am a woman who loves routine and order. I like to eat dinner with my family at the same time everyday (5:45 pm in case you're curious). Using my Crock Pot is the only way I can make that happen consistently. I use it once or twice a week (and then we usually eat leftovers once or twice a week).

The biggest benefit to me is being able to prepare dinner at a much more convenient time earlier in the day. In other words: when my children are not hungry or tired. I've learned that 5pm is not a good time to try to cook a meal and only partially pay attention to my children.

So my Crock Pot has saved the day on countless days.

I make quite a few different chicken recipes. This is one of our favorites that I modified from the family cookbook.

Chicken Stuffing in a Pot
2 chicken breasts, frozen
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 cup sour cream
2 Tb. orange juice
1 cup dressing mix (like Stove Top-I stock up during the holidays when it's on sale)
1/4 cup butter
Mix cream of chicken soup with sour cream. Add orange juice. Pour over frozen chicken in Crock Pot. Sprinkle dressing mix on top. Melt and drizzle butter on top. Cook on high for 3 hours. Serve with rice.

Here's another good one.

Cranberry Chicken
8 oz. bottle of French salad dressing
1 can of cranberry sauce
1 packet onion soup mix
Mix the above, then pour over 2-4 chicken breasts, frozen. Cook on high for 3 hours or low for longer. Serve with rice.

This is a great recipe from my friend Janene.

Italian Chicken Bowties
1 pkg. Italian dressing seasoning
1 pkg. cream cheese
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup milk
1 large chicken breast, frozen
Mix dressing, cream cheese, soup, and milk in mixer until well blended. Pour over chicken in Crock Pot. Cook on low for 4-6 hours. Serve over one box of bow tie noodles.

The simplest recipe ever. We had it last night.

Barbecue Chicken
1-2 chicken breasts
1 (18 ounce) jar barbecue sauce
hamburger buns
Put the the chicken in the pot and pour the sauce over top. Cook until the chicken is tender, shred, then serve on hamburger buns.

I love being able to put frozen chicken straight into the Crock Pot!

Another favorite at our house is Crock Pot lasagna. It's not your typical lasagna so don't expect that, but it's a nice noodles and cheese and sauce combo.

And did you know you can cook baked potatoes in the Crock Pot? I didn't until a few months ago, but I tried it and they turned out great!

Looking for more CrockPot recipes? This lady used her Crock Pot every day for one year, so she has plenty of recipes to share.

What do you make in your Crock Pot?

******************************************************************
Off the subject, but I had to share a nice Mama Moment.

Yesterday at lunch the Ant Bug turned to me and said "When I grow up I will try to be a good mom like you". My heart melted--all my efforts are not in vain!

7 comments on "My Crock Pot Saves the Day"

Tiffany on January 29, 2009 at 10:56 PM said...

Thanks for the fabulous links and ideas! I've used the crockpot a few times this past month (more than usual). It's a lifesaver!

The Kay Family on January 31, 2009 at 9:13 PM said...

I hear ya!! I love my crockpot usually (we sometimes have a love/hate relationship with the knob missing, and the food sticking to the sides-- even with spray!) I love to make a roast for Sunday dinner. So the recipe is: roast, worchestershire sauce (1/2 C.), soy sauce (1/4 C.), water (1/4 C.), dry onion soup mix (1/2 or 1 pkg. depending on how much you like it), some Mrs. Dash seasoning or whatever you have around. Cook on high for 1 hour then low until you are ready to eat. You can also use the liquid to make gravy (by boiling and adding cornstarch & water). I usually serve with mashed potatoes, rolls, and steamed veggies. YUM!!

Shelli on February 2, 2009 at 9:59 PM said...

Do you mind if I post these recipes on my recipe blog? From my regular blog, it's The Flagging Chef on the sidelines.

Thank you!

Nurture Mama on February 2, 2009 at 10:31 PM said...

Shelli,
Sure, you can post them. Thanks for asking. I would just appreciate if you give credit back to this blog.
Enjoy!

Anonymous said...

Even an 'old dog' can learn new tricks - these crock/recipes look fantastic!

One of my favorites is ridiculous:
4 cube steaks, 5 whole potatoes, lipton onion/mushroom soup mix. Dump into the crock pot. On High: ready in 2 1/2 - 3 hours.

Your little family is adorable, of course!For your next recipe post, maybe ask the girls how mommy cooks something and write it down verbatim. I predict hilarity.

Love, Your Aunt Cindi

Kindermusik with Celeste on February 11, 2009 at 10:59 PM said...

Here is our fav cockpot recipe:

Stuffed Chicken

*4 chicken breasts (pounded)
*3 oz cream cheese
*3/4 cup shredded cheese
*4 oz green chilies
*1/2 tsp chili powder
*1 can cream of chicken soup
*1/2 cup enchilada sauce
*salt/pepper

-Mix cream cheese, cheese, chilies, powder in bowl. Put about 2-3 spoonfuls of mixture on flat side of chicken breasts. Roll tight, put in crock pot, seam side down.
-Mix together soup and sauce. Pour over chicken
-cook 4-5 hours on low.
-serve over white rice.

Rachel on March 1, 2009 at 10:16 PM said...

I love that Cranberry Chicken recipe, I've made it before, but in the oven. I'll have to try it in the crockpot.

 

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